Aug 31, 2017, 10:10 am
Last edit by: dmodemd
Formal announcement from Alaska Airlines:
https://blog.alaskaair.com/alaska-ai...enefits-on-vx/
...details on how to get them are in the updated FAQ:
https://www.alaskaair.com/content/tr...nefit-schedule
1-877-FLY-VIRGIN now goes to Alaska reps. They need to coordinate with an AS team member who has VX systems access to do the work they need. Calling through your MVP priority call line will get you faster pick up.
Call ins are needed for AS booked flights on VX for:
- Making changes and getting change fee waived
- FC Upgrade purchases*
* FAQ says: "You can purchase available First Class upgrades in advance online", but it doesn't work yet for AS booked VX flights.
Online at VirginAmerica.com you can:
- Add yourself to MCS upgrade list (link should show in Manage function)
[WARNING: There is a report of this not actually working... recommend tweet to VX instead]
- Select preferred seating before clearing MCS
- Select MCS seat after clearing at your window (can also do with VX app)
Reports are that Twitter DMs to Virgin America are the fastest way to get assistance.
You may get referred to the VX phone line (which leads to Alaska Air) if your reservation has additional complications that may not be apparent to you.
Companions: If you have any companions on your reservation (regardless of status), you will need to call in your upgrade request when your clearance window opens.
https://blog.alaskaair.com/alaska-ai...enefits-on-vx/
...details on how to get them are in the updated FAQ:
https://www.alaskaair.com/content/tr...nefit-schedule
1-877-FLY-VIRGIN now goes to Alaska reps. They need to coordinate with an AS team member who has VX systems access to do the work they need. Calling through your MVP priority call line will get you faster pick up.
Call ins are needed for AS booked flights on VX for:
- Making changes and getting change fee waived
- FC Upgrade purchases*
* FAQ says: "You can purchase available First Class upgrades in advance online", but it doesn't work yet for AS booked VX flights.
Online at VirginAmerica.com you can:
- Add yourself to MCS upgrade list (link should show in Manage function)
[WARNING: There is a report of this not actually working... recommend tweet to VX instead]
- Select preferred seating before clearing MCS
- Select MCS seat after clearing at your window (can also do with VX app)
Reports are that Twitter DMs to Virgin America are the fastest way to get assistance.
You may get referred to the VX phone line (which leads to Alaska Air) if your reservation has additional complications that may not be apparent to you.
Companions: If you have any companions on your reservation (regardless of status), you will need to call in your upgrade request when your clearance window opens.
VX Preferred Seats and Main Cabin Select (MCS) Upgrades Now Available for AS Elites
Aug 25, 2017, 11:47 am
#79
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Kirkland, WA
Programs: AS 75K,UA Gold 1.6MM, Hilton Dia, Marriott LT Plat, Hyatt Glb, Natl Exec, Hertz 5*
Posts: 3,657
Someone more familiar with the VX upgrade process feel free to correct me, but as I understand it, you have two options....have yourself added to the auto-upgrade list and it may process the upgrade automatically at your upgrade window (although you may get a middle seat and separated from any companions if they are on separate PNRs) or you can call at your upgrade window and ask to be upgraded if there are upgrade seats available. Since my wife is traveling with me on another PNR and she is also elite and upgrade eligible, my plan is to call at T-24 and see if there are two MCS seats together. Either way involves a call to VX center so make sure you block out enough time for that, especially if you have to hang up and call again.
From VX forum FAQ:
Q: Can you get a standby upgrade to Main Cabin Select?
A: Yes. If there are seats available 24 hours or less before departure, you can upgrade at check-in (including OLCI) or prior to check-in. The charge for upgrading depends on the flight distance: 849 miles or less is $39, 850-1499 miles is $69, and 1500 miles or more is $129.
Aug 25, 2017, 4:07 pm
#80
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: AA Gold, DL Silver, Starwood Gold, Marriott Silver, HH Gold, Hyatt Platinum
Posts: 135
VX upgrades for MVP Gold
I was unaware that VX had implemented the upgrades already as there was still no mention of a date on either the VX or AS websites. I've never been a fan of the VX econ. product especially since the service has never been great (they never deliver the free products from the on-screen ordering) and after 9 years as an Elevate member I expected a cramped flight to the east coast earlier this week.
So I was pleasantly surprised to get an upgrade. On the way out, a gate agent came on board, asked if I was gold, confirmed my name and then told me he was sorry but "he had to upgrade me to First Class". It was bulkhead but the legroom was way better than AS and the food was excellent. I was mentally prepared to return in cattle class but was again surprised to get an upgrade, this time to MCS at the gate.
Now that it seems I can request an upgrade at T-24, I'll try this next week----strange because I had an issue with checking-in on the return flight (it wouldn't let me change seats) and the VX agent never mentioned it to me when I called at T-24. Either she didn't know that I was MVP Gold, didn't care or just quietly put me on the list. But it's good that we are finally getting something. And MCS is definitely FC lite (great selection of snacks and alcoholic drinks) just missing the bigger pitch and seat width of FC.
So I was pleasantly surprised to get an upgrade. On the way out, a gate agent came on board, asked if I was gold, confirmed my name and then told me he was sorry but "he had to upgrade me to First Class". It was bulkhead but the legroom was way better than AS and the food was excellent. I was mentally prepared to return in cattle class but was again surprised to get an upgrade, this time to MCS at the gate.
Now that it seems I can request an upgrade at T-24, I'll try this next week----strange because I had an issue with checking-in on the return flight (it wouldn't let me change seats) and the VX agent never mentioned it to me when I called at T-24. Either she didn't know that I was MVP Gold, didn't care or just quietly put me on the list. But it's good that we are finally getting something. And MCS is definitely FC lite (great selection of snacks and alcoholic drinks) just missing the bigger pitch and seat width of FC.
Aug 25, 2017, 6:30 pm
#82
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend, Moderator, Information Desk, Ambassador, Alaska Airlines
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: FAI
Programs: AS MVP Gold100K, AS 1MM, Maika`i Card, AGR, HH Gold, Hertz PC, Marriott Titanium LTG, CO, 7H, BA, 8E
Posts: 42,953
I was unaware that VX had implemented the upgrades already as there was still no mention of a date on either the VX or AS websites. I've never been a fan of the VX econ. product especially since the service has never been great (they never deliver the free products from the on-screen ordering) and after 9 years as an Elevate member I expected a cramped flight to the east coast earlier this week.
So I was pleasantly surprised to get an upgrade. On the way out, a gate agent came on board, asked if I was gold, confirmed my name and then told me he was sorry but "he had to upgrade me to First Class". It was bulkhead but the legroom was way better than AS and the food was excellent. I was mentally prepared to return in cattle class but was again surprised to get an upgrade, this time to MCS at the gate.
Now that it seems I can request an upgrade at T-24, I'll try this next week----strange because I had an issue with checking-in on the return flight (it wouldn't let me change seats) and the VX agent never mentioned it to me when I called at T-24. Either she didn't know that I was MVP Gold, didn't care or just quietly put me on the list. But it's good that we are finally getting something. And MCS is definitely FC lite (great selection of snacks and alcoholic drinks) just missing the bigger pitch and seat width of FC.
So I was pleasantly surprised to get an upgrade. On the way out, a gate agent came on board, asked if I was gold, confirmed my name and then told me he was sorry but "he had to upgrade me to First Class". It was bulkhead but the legroom was way better than AS and the food was excellent. I was mentally prepared to return in cattle class but was again surprised to get an upgrade, this time to MCS at the gate.
Now that it seems I can request an upgrade at T-24, I'll try this next week----strange because I had an issue with checking-in on the return flight (it wouldn't let me change seats) and the VX agent never mentioned it to me when I called at T-24. Either she didn't know that I was MVP Gold, didn't care or just quietly put me on the list. But it's good that we are finally getting something. And MCS is definitely FC lite (great selection of snacks and alcoholic drinks) just missing the bigger pitch and seat width of FC.
How full was the main cabin and MCS?
Aug 25, 2017, 10:11 pm
#83
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: YVR, HNL
Programs: AS 75k, UA peon, BA Bronze, AC E50k, Marriott Plat, HH Diamond, Fairmont Plat (RIP)
Posts: 7,832
Intersting to see this on one of my reservations. The flight isn't for a couple of weeks and it doesn't apply as I am in F, but interesting nonetheless.
Aug 26, 2017, 11:50 am
#84
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Kirkland, WA
Programs: AS 75K,UA Gold 1.6MM, Hilton Dia, Marriott LT Plat, Hyatt Glb, Natl Exec, Hertz 5*
Posts: 3,657
I have my first VX flight on Monday ex-SEA with 0 seats occupied in F and 0 in MCS. Hoping for some sort of upgrade 
If on AS, it would be a no brainer into F...
If on AS, it would be a no brainer into F...
Aug 26, 2017, 12:37 pm
#85
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Denver, Colorado, USA
Programs: AS MVP 100K, UA PremEx-MM
Posts: 3,335
I'm flying on a quickie DEN-SFO-DEN on Tuesday; I had aisles in rows 18/19 going and returning; this morning AS app and website showed no better seats; I logged on to the VX site and was able to change to aisles in rows 6/5 going and coming. Very excited as the fare was dirt cheap ($130 R/T). Can I assume that upgrading to MCS or F would be available at T-24 instead of T-6?
Aug 26, 2017, 1:03 pm
#86
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: SEA town
Programs: Alaska LTG, HHonors-Gld, IHG-Dia, LT MR Ti
Posts: 627
I'm flying on a quickie DEN-SFO-DEN on Tuesday; I had aisles in rows 18/19 going and returning; this morning AS app and website showed no better seats; I logged on to the VX site and was able to change to aisles in rows 6/5 going and coming. Very excited as the fare was dirt cheap ($130 R/T). Can I assume that upgrading to MCS or F would be available at T-24 instead of T-6?
Originally did you book via AS site or VX site?
Have a trip to FLL in two weeks, need to book. VX has a better connection for my return... But my VX experiences have been sh*tty to date due to their seat selection policy towards AS members.
Aug 26, 2017, 7:39 pm
#87
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Seattle
Programs: AS
Posts: 2,293
It just made me laugh...
Aug 27, 2017, 9:39 am
#90
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: SFO
Programs: AA, BD, SPG, Hilton
Posts: 122
Two things I noticed when checking in just now for my flight tomorrow morning:
1) It still wants to charge me $39 for SFO-SAN MCE. Maybe I'm misunderstanding how these seats are released at check-in for elites?
2) It does recognize my status, as my BP now says MVP GOLD 75K on the both top next to the PreCheck logo, and again where they print the ffp.
Update:
3) Got a paper BP printed at the airport since I'm still having trouble getting flights credited. Paper BP for whatever reason is not synced and does not recognize status or anything - still showed Group B, no status printed, no indication of Priority.
1) It still wants to charge me $39 for SFO-SAN MCE. Maybe I'm misunderstanding how these seats are released at check-in for elites?
2) It does recognize my status, as my BP now says MVP GOLD 75K on the both top next to the PreCheck logo, and again where they print the ffp.
Update:
3) Got a paper BP printed at the airport since I'm still having trouble getting flights credited. Paper BP for whatever reason is not synced and does not recognize status or anything - still showed Group B, no status printed, no indication of Priority.
Last edited by CIVET FIVE; Aug 28, 2017 at 7:21 am Reason: adding #3 from the airport